A village in Luhansk region lived without electricity for one and a half years

Residents of 'LPR'-controlled Novooleksandrivka village said they had been without any electricity for about 18 months.

The SMM's representatives spoke with civilians living in areas near the front line. Residents (12 women and men between 20 and 70 years) in 'LPR'-controlled Novooleksandrivka (65km west of Luhansk city) told the OSCE SMM they had been without any electricity for 18 months and were also without gas supply as a result of damage caused by shelling. They added that, as they have no coal, they use wood from a nearby forest - believed to be mined - for heating.Read more:EU to grant Ukraine visa-free regime in May-July 2016, - Minister Klimkin

The SMM observed an increase in cease-fire violations in the Donetsk region compared to previous days. The SMM encountered restrictions to its freedom of movement, including to a border area not controlled by the Government. The SMM continued to facilitate the enabling of repairs between government and non-government-controlled areas in the Donetsk region.

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